Akin's rape remark has GOP fretting

By early evening, Akin has issued a lengthy statement saying “it’s clear that I misspoke in this interview.”

“It does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year,” he said in a written response.

That did little to soothe Republicans.

Around the time the news began bouncing around Twitter, Renee Hulshof, a conservative radio personality and the of former Rep. Kenny Hulshof, tweeted, “Oh my. I am gonna go back to raking leaves. #headdesk.”

“I am reminded today why, I, as a Republican am supporting @clairecmc over @ToddAkin for #MOSEN. Unbelievable,” tweeted Lucas Case, a GOP aide who worked on the early phase of Sarah Steelman’s Senate campaign.

Mark Reardon, an influential conservative radio host in St. Louis was more dire: “Just catching up on this @RepToddAkin stuff. Congrats to @clairecmc for winning re-election.”

For other GOP operatives and political players, Akin’s opinion on rape was just the culmination of growing uneasiness with a campaign that appears to be at best undisciplined and at worst reckless and unwilling to heed outside advice. Akin’s son is running the campaign, and his wife is seen as the candidate’s most influential adviser.

“I think there needs to be professional help brought in to at least make it appear like he is listening to people outside his immediate family,” observed the in-state GOP operative. “There’s lots of questions about who is driving the ship.”

A coterie of Republican consultants was emailing and texting one another Sunday night about a potential movement to push Akin aside — though one cautioned that theory was more emblematic of behind-the-scenes hand-wringing than a practical move. Akin could not be forced from the ballot but could voluntarily step aside and allow the party to nominate a replacement. The latest he could do so under Missouri law would be Tuesday.

A Jefferson City-based Republican said the greater concern is that Akin is unaware of the political damage he’s inflicting to himself.

“He likely doesn’t understand the severity of his comment, and his response was weak. No Republican official or operative has any close bond with him, so no one will defend him. He sounds completely out of touch,” said the operative, who asked for anonymity to protect client relationships.

Two sources said even top Republican candidates and leaders in the state are shaking their heads and scurrying for distance from Akin. One Columbia-based operative said several calls were placed this weekend to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Mitt Romney’s campaign about the mounting concern over Akin.

“One mused about putting him in a closet for three months,” said one source with ties to GOP leadership in Jefferson City.

Asked to assess the level of worry, one Republican elected official replied, “Most have moved past worrying to conceding.”

Not all Republicans are as alarmist. Some hold the view that while Akin is undoubtedly flawed, he doesn’t need to be the second coming of Marco Rubio to defeat McCaskill at a time when the Show-Me State is trending away from Democrats.

Privately, McCaskill’s top aides are equally circumspect and underestimate neither their foe nor the challenging environment they face.

If Akin uses this moment as a wake-up call to steer his campaign back to fiscal issues and McCaskill’s support for President Barack Obama, there’s plenty of time to right the ship, some Republicans argue.

There’s some evidence he’s beginning to take a hint.

At a candidate swing through Branson this weekend — which took place after the taped interview with Fox — Akin declined interviews.

After the campaign promised POLITICO an interview with the candidate last week, it canceled on two separate occasions, saying the congressman’s schedule became too busy.